News Release

Kindred Healthcare, Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE:KND) today announced that
Benjamin A. Breier, Chief Operating Officer, was named to the 2010 "Up &
Comers" list by Modern Healthcare magazine.

The annual "Up & Comers" list recognizes rising young leaders aged 40
and under who are making a difference in healthcare. Mr. Breier was one
of 12 executives selected from among 103 nominations. The honorees
appear in the September 13 issue of Modern Healthcare, a national
trade publication that covers the healthcare industry.

Mr. Breier, 39, was named Chief Operating Officer of Kindred Healthcare
in March 2010. Since March 2008, Mr. Breier has served as President of
the Company's Hospital Division. Under his leadership, the Hospital
Division revenues have grown to approximately $2 billion and operating
income has increased more than $18 million. From August 2005 to March
2008, Mr. Breier served as President of Peoplefirst
Rehabilitation. Through his leadership, Peoplefirst added 135 new
contracts and increased revenues from $228 million in 2004 to $427
million in 2008.

"This is a well-deserved honor," said Paul J. Diaz, President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company. "Ben has shown tremendous leadership
skills since he joined Kindred and has overseen the growth of two of our
divisions while also improving our quality and customer service. As
Chief Operating Officer, Ben is helping us continue to advance our value
proposition for patients, residents, employees, customers and
shareholders as well as our strategic growth initiatives, including our
Cluster Market, physician, managed care and network development
programs."

About Kindred Healthcare

Kindred Healthcare, Inc., a top-200 private employer in the United
States, is a FORTUNE 500 healthcare services company based in
Louisville, Kentucky with annual revenues of over $4.2 billion and
approximately 53,500 employees in 40 states. At June 30, 2010, Kindred
through its subsidiaries provided healthcare services in 633 locations,
including 83 long-term acute care hospitals, 223 nursing and
rehabilitation centers and a contract rehabilitation services business,
Peoplefirst rehabilitation services, which served 327
non-affiliated facilities. Ranked as one of Fortune magazine's Most
Admired Healthcare Companies in 2009 and 2010, Kindred's mission is to
promote healing, provide hope, preserve dignity and produce value for
each patient, resident, family member, customer, employee and
shareholder we serve. For more information, go to www.kindredhealthcare.com.